Cooking pan protection system

ABSTRACT

A pan protection system and method for protecting a surface of a cooking pan is disclosed. Such a system includes at least a first pocket, a second pocket and a pocket divider placed between the first and second pocket for protecting the surface of a number of cooking pans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to kitchenware and more particularly to theprotection of a surface of a kitchen item.

2. The Relevant Technology

Many types and brands of cooking or frying pans are coated with anon-stick material such as polytetrafluoroethylene—which is morerecognizable by its trademarked name of Teflon®. Teflon® is applied tothe surface of a metallic pan to prevent food from sticking to the pan'ssurface. Non-stick coatings, however, are easily scratched and damagedif the surface comes into contact with hard or sharp objects such asmetal spatulas and silverware. Once a non-stick surface has beenscratched, its non-stick characteristics are compromised and the pan isno longer effective.

It is common for manufacturers to sell several pans in a kit ofincreasing sizes, such that a pan of a smaller size may be stacked ontop of and inside the next larger size. Such a configuration isconvenient for shipping and for home storage of the pans. However, thestacking of pans may scratch the non-stick coating of the adjacent pan.

Paper or cloth towels may be placed between each pan to act as aprotective barrier so as to prevent each non-stick surface from comingin contact with the bottom of the adjacent pan. Spacers may raise thebottom of one pan from the surface of another. However, spacers can movearound and easily go out of alignment or become lost, thereby reducingor completely eliminating the effectiveness as a protective element. Panliners may also be used to separate the surface from the bottom of anadjacent pan, however, each liner must be sized for each pan's diameter.It is therefore desirable to provide a method and apparatus forseparating surfaces of pots and pans while stopping, transporting orotherwise. It is further desirable that such a protective barrier beinexpensive while maintaining its effectiveness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to a system and method forprotecting a surface of a cooking pan. Such a system includes a firstpocket having a first interior wall member that forms a first interiorvolume. The first pocket also has a first exterior wall member formingan outer layer. The first interior wall member is made from a materialselected to protect the non-stick surface of a first cooking pan frombeing scratched. The first pocket also has a first opening that acceptsthe first cooking pan into the first interior volume of the firstpocket.

The system further has a second pocket having a second interior wallmember forming a second interior volume and a second exterior wallmember forming the outer layer. The second interior wall member is madefrom material selected to protect the non-stick surface of a secondcooking pan from being scratched. The second pocket further has a secondopening that accepts the second cooking pan into the second interiorvolume of the second pocket.

Lastly, the system has a pocket divider placed between the first andsecond pocket. The first wall of the pocket divider forms the bottominterior wall of the first interior volume of the first pocket. A secondwall of the pocket divider forms a top interior wall of the secondinterior volume of the second pocket. The pocket divider is made fromthe same material as the first interior wall member.

A method of protecting a non-stick surface of a plurality of cookingpans is provided. The method includes providing a first pocket having afirst interior wall member that forms a first interior volume. The firstpocket also has a first exterior wall member forming an outer layer. Thefirst interior wall member is made from a material selected to protectthe non-stick surface of a first cooking pan from being scratched. Thefirst pocket further has a first opening configured to accept the firstcooking pan into the first interior volume of the first pocket.

The method further provides a second pocket having a second interiorwall member that forms a second interior volume and a second exteriorwall member forming the outer layer. The second interior wall member ismade from a material selected to protect the non-stick surface of asecond cooking pan from being scratched. The second pocket further has asecond opening configured to accept the second cooking pan into thesecond interior volume of the second pocket.

The method further couples a pocket divider between the first pocket andthe second pocket. The first wall of the pocket divider forms the bottominterior wall of the first interior volume of the first pocket. Thesecond wall of the pocket divider forms the top interior wall of thesecond interior volume of the second pocket. The pocket divider is madefrom the same material as the first interior wall member. The methodfurther requires placing the first cooking pan having a non-sticksurface into the first opening of the first pocket. Lastly, the methodrequires placing the second cooking pan having a non-stick surface intothe second opening of the second pocket.

Other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparentafter reading the detailed description in conjunction with the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a plurality of stacked cooking pans;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a plurality of cooking pans placed inside a panprotection system;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a pan protection system showing the openings ofeach pocket of the pan protection system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an expanded view of a pocket opening having an expanding andcontracting material around the perimeter of the opening;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of an elastic opening; and

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of an opening of a pan protection system witha draw string.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth,such as examples of specific cooking pan sizes, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be readily apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without the specific details. In other instances, well-knowncomponents or methods have not been described in detail but rather in ablock diagram in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presentinvention. Thus, the specific details set forth below are merelyexemplary and are by no means intended to be exhaustive. The specificdetails may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a plurality of stacked cooking pans.Stacking pans or other kitchenware is typical of both the home orcommercial environment. Since multiple size pans are desirable, pans 20,30, 40 are illustrated as sized with differing diameters. In theillustrated embodiment, pan 20 is 12 inches in diameter, pan 30 is 10inches in diameter and pan 40 is 8 inches in diameter. Thus, pan 40 fitsinside pan 30, with the combination of pans 40 and 30 fitting inside pan20. Pans 20, 30, 40 have handles 25, 35, 45 respectively. In theembodiment shown, pans 20, 30, 40 have non-stick coatings 22, 32, 42 onthe inner surface of each pan. The illustrated embodiment is shown anddescribed with non-stick coatings, however, the invention works equallyas well with pans having any type of a surface that is susceptible toscratches and wear and tear. In the storage configuration illustrated inFIG. 1, non-stick coatings 22, 32, 42 are susceptible to scratching whenthey are placed directly against the bottom of the adjacent pan. Sincepan 30 is placed on top of pan 20 in a typical storage configuration,non-stick coating 22 is placed in direct contact with the bottom surfaceof pan 30. Any movement of pan 30 results in possible damage to surface22.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a plurality of cooking pans placedinside pan protection system 100. Pan protection system 100 is amulti-tiered enclosure that accepts a single pan into a pocket of eachtier. In this example, pan protection system 100 comprises three tiers,where each tier has a pocket for receiving a pan. In the illustratedembodiment, pocket 101 is in the top tier, pocket 102 is in the middletier and pocket 103 is in the bottom tier. Pockets 101 and 102 aredivided by pocket divider 110 and pockets 102 and 103 are divided bypocket divider 120.

Pan protection system 100 and each of its pockets 101, 102 and 103comprise an outer layer 140 and an inner layer 150. Outer layer 140 istypically made of a cloth-type material that provides flexibility,surface protection and washability. The choice of material is notsignificant to the operation of the system as long as it protects thesurface of the pans and may be washed. Inner layer 150 is permanentlycoupled to outer layer 140 using an adhesive means. For example, innerlayer 150 may be adhered to outer layer 140 using a connection meanssuch as glue, stitching and zippers to mention a few. Inner layer 150shall be manufactured of a material that protects the surface of cookingpans from damage from other pans that may come in physical contact withthe surface. Layer 150 is in direct contact with the non-stick coatings,hence, layer 150 typically is manufactured of a material that will notcause damage to the non-stick coating. In another embodiment, innerlayer 150 and outer layer 140 are manufactured from a single piece ofmaterial.

Each pocket has an opening that allows a pan to be inserted. In theillustrated embodiment, pocket 101 has opening 115 for accepting pan 40and protecting its coating 42; pocket 102 has opening 125 for acceptingpan 30 and protecting its coating 32; and pocket 103 has opening 135 foraccepting pan 20 and protecting its coating 22.

In particular embodiments, each pocket and its corresponding opening hasascending or descending sizes based upon the diameter of the pan beinginserted into the pocket. For example, pocket 101 and its opening 115may be sized to accept 8 inch frying pan 40, while pocket 102 and itsopening 125 may be sized to accept 10 inch frying pan 30 and pocket 103and its opening 135 may be sized to accept 12 inch frying pan 20. Inanother particular embodiment, each pocket and its corresponding openingis the same size, thereby allowing various sized pans with varyingdiameters to be placed in any of the pockets.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, pan protection system 100comprises three tiers. In operation, typical household pot and pan kitsoften have three pans having an 8, 10 and 12 inch diameter respectively.It should be understood that a pan protection system 100 may have moreor less than three tiers without departing from the intended scope ofthe present invention. For example, a pan protection system 100 may havea fourth tier sized with a pocket large enough to accept a pan with a 14inch diameter. Typically, the largest sized tier is the bottom tier,thereby allowing the descending sized pans to fit within the bottomtier's pocket and its larger diameter pan. The four-tier pan protectionsystem may also have equally sized pockets, thus allowing any sized panto fit inside any one of the four pockets.

FIG. 3 illustrates another side view of pan protection system 100showing the openings of each pocket. Pan protection system 100 haspockets 101, 102 and 103. Pocket 101 and 102 are divided by pocketdivider 110 and pocket 102 and 103 are divided by pocket divider 120.Pockets 101, 102 and 103 have openings 115, 125 and 135, respectively.Pan protection system 100 is also comprised of outer layer 140 and innerlayer 150, with each layer being adhered to each other as describedabove. In one embodiment, each opening is approximately sized to thesize and dimensions of its corresponding pocket. For example, the sizeand dimensions of opening 135 are similar to that of pocket 103 so thatopening 135 accepts pan 20.

In another embodiment, the circumference of each opening is manufacturedof an expanding and contracting material, which allows the opening toclose around a pan once it is inserted. Such an arrangement allows thehandle to protrude out of the opening. In an expand position, theopening is still wide enough to accept a large diameter pan.

FIG. 4 illustrates an expanded view of an opening in one of the pocketswith an expanding and contracting material around the perimeter of theopening. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket 103 has an opening 135.Opening 135 is typically manufactured from an elastic material allowingthe opening to expand and contract much like an elastic waste band foundon pants. Opening 135 is shown in a contracted position such that theelastic is contracted as tight as possible around handle 25. Pan 20rests inside pocket 103 with handle 25 protruding through opening 135.Dotted line 139 shows the maximum expansion of opening 135. Expandedopening 139 is configured to expand to at least the diameter of pan 20to allow the pan to fit past opening 139 and into pocket 103. Forexample, in a closed or compressed position, opening 135 may have adiameter of four inches. In a fully expanded position, however, opening135 may have a diameter of 14 inches. Hence, opening 135 would be wideenough to accept at least the diameter of 12 inch pan 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates an expanded view of elastic opening 135. In oneembodiment, opening 135 is made from an elastic band 138 that encirclesthe entire circumference of, or at least part of, opening 135. Elasticband 138 may be encased by material to protect the band from physicaldamage and visibility to a user. Inner stitch 136 and outer stitch 137are formed on each side of band 138 so as to contain band 138 within thematerial. In one embodiment, the material used to surround elastic band138 may be the same material used to make the entire pan protectionsystem. The material used to surround elastic band 138 may also be of adifferent material and configured to accommodate the contraction andexpansion of opening 135. As described above with respect to FIG. 4,opening 135 has a diameter of 4 inches when contracted and 14 incheswhen fully expanded, in one embodiment. Therefore, elastic band 138 mayhave a circumference such that its compressed or relaxed diameter is 4inches. An elasticity and thickness is selected that allows elastic band138 to expand to a diameter of at least 14 inches without breaking orlosing elasticity over several hundred stretch and relax operations, inone embodiment. Other embodiments are well suited to other dimensionscapable of receiving and contracting around corresponding pans.

Opening of pan protection system 100 may also use a draw string toincrease or decrease the size of the opening. FIG. 6 illustrates anexpanded view of a pocket having a draw string to alter the diameter ofits opening. In this illustrated example, pocket 102 is shown withopening 125. Handle 35 protrudes through opening 125. Opening 125comprises an inner stitch 131 and an outer stitch 132. Stitches 131 and132 are stitched into the material utilized to make the overall panprotection system. Between stitches 131 and 132 is a small volume wherestring 126 rests. String 126 may be a single string that runs throughthe entire volume between stitches 131 and 132. String 126 may exit thematerial at openings 128 and 129, pass through coupler 127 andterminate. Coupler 127 allows the two ends of string 126 to stay in oneposition by placing pressure on the portion of the string passingthrough coupler 127. While coupler 127 is exerting pressure on string126, opening 125 should not expand or contract, hence keeping thediameter of the opening stable. One simply has to release the pressureof coupler 127 on the string to permit the opening to expand orcontract. Any suitable type of coupler used in the draw string industryis sufficient, with no specific type being required or recommended.

The opening of each pocket may also be manufactured to not expand and/orcontract. Such an opening may simply be of a constant diameter, allowinga pan with a diameter less than or equal to the opening to be acceptedinto the pocket of such an opening. In such an embodiment, an elasticband or draw string is not required. The opening may simply havematerial with a single stitch around the circumference.

One skilled in the art should realize and appreciate that the size ofeach opening may vary from the samples stated above. Any number of sizedopenings may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In one embodiment, pan protection system 100 may havemultiple tiers such that each pocket and its corresponding opening is ofthe same fixed size. In this example, each pocket may accept a pan lessthan or equal to 14 inches. Each tier's pocket and opening may alsoaccept an increasing or decreasing sized pan.

In another embodiment, each opening of a pocket may employ one of thetechniques mentioned above to expand or contract in diameter. Forexample, a three-tiered pan protection system may employ a top tierhaving a pocket that has a fixed opening of 8 inches in diameter. Hence,the top tier's pocket may accept a pan with a diameter less than orequal to 8 inches. The middle tier's pocket may have an opening that isexpandable from 4 inches to 14 inches through implementation of anelastic band around the opening. Accordingly, the middle tier's pocketmay accept a pan whose diameter is less than or equal to 14 inches. Thebottom tier's pocket may have an opening that is expandable from 8inches to 18 inches through use of a draw string and coupler around theopening. The bottom tier's pocket may therefore accept a pan whosediameter is less than or equal to 18 inches.

Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention willno doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art afterhaving read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that anyparticular embodiment shown and described by way of illustration is inno way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, references todetails of various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope ofthe claims which in themselves recite only those features regarded asthe invention.

1. A cooking pan protection system, comprising: a first pocket having afirst interior wall member forming a first interior volume and a firstexterior wall member forming an outer layer, the first interior wallmember being made from a material selected to protect a surface of afirst cooking pan from being scratched, the first pocket further havinga first opening configured to accept the first cooking pan into thefirst interior volume of the first pocket; a second pocket having asecond interior wall member forming a second interior volume and asecond exterior wall member forming the outer layer, the second interiorwall member being made from a material selected to protect a surface ofa second cooking pan from being scratched, the second pocket furtherhaving a second opening configured to accept the second cooking pan intothe second interior volume of the second pocket; and a pocket dividercoupled between the first pocket and the second pocket, a first wall ofthe pocket divider forming a bottom interior wall of the first interiorvolume of the first pocket, a second wall of the pocket divider forminga top interior wall of the second interior volume of the second pocket,the pocket divider being made from the same material as the firstinterior wall member.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the material ofthe first interior wall member will not absorb moisture from the firstcooking pan.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the material of the firstinterior wall member will absorb moisture from the first cooking pan. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises: an openingvolume formed from material between an inner stitched seam and an outerstitched seam; and an elastic band positioned inside the opening volume.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first opening has a restingposition diameter when the elastic band is in a resting position.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the first opening has an expanded positiondiameter when the elastic band is stretched to a maximum elasticity, theexpanded position diameter being greater than the resting positiondiameter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the firstopening is the same as a diameter of the second opening.
 8. The systemof claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first opening is less than adiameter of the second opening.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein theresting position diameter of the first opening is less than the restingposition diameter of the second opening.
 10. The system of claim 6,wherein the expanded position diameter of the first opening is less thanthe expanded position diameter of the second opening.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first opening comprises: an opening volume formedfrom material between an inner stitched seam and an outer stitched seam,the opening volume having a first string opening and a second stringopening; a draw string positioned inside the opening volume, the drawstring having a first end protruding out of the first string opening anda second end protruding out the second string opening; and a coupler tofix a position of the first end and the second end of the draw stringtogether.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein a diameter of the firstopening is adjustable depending on the position of the coupler along alength of the draw string.
 13. A method of protecting a surface of aplurality of cooking pans, comprising: providing a first pocket having afirst interior wall member forming a first interior volume and a firstexterior wall member forming an outer layer, the first interior wallmember being made from a material selected to protect the surface of afirst cooking pan from being scratched, the first pocket further havinga first opening configured to accept the first cooking pan into thefirst interior volume of the first pocket; providing a second pockethaving a second interior wall member forming a second interior volumeand a second exterior wall member forming the outer layer, the secondinterior wall member being made from a material selected to protect thenon-stick surface of a second cooking pan from being scratched, thesecond pocket further having a second opening configured to accept thesecond cooking pan into the second interior volume of the second pocket;coupling a pocket divider between the first pocket and the secondpocket, a first wall of the pocket divider forming a bottom interiorwall of the first interior volume of the first pocket, a second wall ofthe pocket divider forming a top interior wall of the second interiorvolume of the second pocket, the pocket divider being made from the samematerial as the first interior wall member; placing the first cookingpan having a surface into the first opening of the first pocket; andplacing a second cooking pan having a surface into the second opening ofthe second pocket.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the material ofthe first interior wall member will not absorb moisture from the firstcooking pan.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the material of thefirst interior wall member will absorb moisture from the first cookingpan.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first opening is formed by:creating an opening volume formed from material stitched between aninner seam and an outer seam; and positioning an elastic band inside theopening volume.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first openinghas a resting position diameter when the elastic band is in a restingposition.
 18. The method of claim 16, creating an expanded positiondiameter by stretching the elastic band to its maximum elasticity, theexpanded position diameter being greater than the resting positiondiameter.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the first opening isformed by: creating an opening volume formed from material stitchedbetween an inner seam and an outer seam; creating a first string openingand a second string opening in the opening volume to allow two ends of adraw string to protrude through the first and second string openings;positioning a draw string inside the opening volume, the draw stringhaving a first end and a second end; positioning the first end of drawstring through the first string opening; positioning the second end ofthe draw string through the second string opening; and positioning thefirst and second end of the draw string through an opening in a couplerhaving means to fix the first and second string ends into a fixedposition.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: adjusting thediameter of the first opening by sliding the coupler along a length ofthe draw string.